Lions and Bears and Bobcats, Oh My

A couple of summers ago there were two young bobcats pretty much living in the patio of our AZ residence in Oro Valley. I took multiple pictures and videos of them. One afternoon one of them was sunning itself on top of the patio wall. I went into the patio to get a closer picture and heard a hissing sound. I knew it was not me, was pretty it was not the bobcat on the wall. Hearing the hissing again I looked down at my feet and there was the sibling, not very happy. Being a thoughtful host, I gradually backed away and went back into the house.

I have noticed with interest occasional posts about black bears and mountain lions wandering around in Tucson and suburbs.

I have had a number of encounters with wildlife over the years. I have seen multiple black bears hiking, biking, and occasional one would walk thru our HOA complex in Big Sky, MT. One day I was walking thru our complex when I noticed a black bear also taking a leisurely stroll, probably looking for food. Since I am not food, I was not particularly worried, though as it got closer I went to stand next to a car of a friend of mine. I asked her to please unlock the door. Why she said. Because if the bear gets close I’m getting in. Its important to be respectful of wildlife, enjoy the moment when seeing one, but don’t be stupid.

Black bear attacks are very rare. A recent study found there are only about 12 black bear/human conflicts a year and over 80% were defensive or food motivated by the bear. Since 1784 there have only been at total of 66 fatal black bear/human conflicts. By comparison, an estimated 50,000 black bears are killed annually by hunters in North America. This does not include bears killed by poachers or vehicles. Humans are and have been winning this battle for a long time.

Bobcats attacking people are also very rare and when it has happened, generally it is because the bobcat had rabies. There are no reported instances of a bobcat killing a person. By comparison there are over 400,000 domestic cat bites reported annually. There are no reported deaths from cat bites, though bites can lead to infections which can be very serious.

I have never seen a mountain lion in the wild, though I suspect more than few mountain lions have watched me when I have been on my bike, cross country skiing or hiking. In Tucson and surrounding area, I have friends who have seen a mountain lion walking by, laying on the golf course and one friend actually came home and found one on her roof.

I get the caution, but the reality is mountain lion attacks are also very rare. Since 1868 throughout all of North America [includes Canada and Alaska] there have been 29 cases of fatal mountain lion attacks on humans. The last forty years there have been about 4-6 mountain lion attacks each year in the US and Canada, and again, very very few are fatal.

If I saw a black bear or a mountain lion in my patio or wandering thru the wash behind my house, I would not invite either in for lunch, but I would not be worried. If fact, in the Tucson area, I would think I was very lucky to see either. While hiking or biking if you are worried about running into either, I would suggest carrying bear pepper. Also, make noise so you do not surprise one.

What about coyotes? One study over a 38 year period found in the US and Canada there was about 10 coyote attacks annually, none of them fatal. By comparison about 4.5 million Americans are bitten annually by dogs and 30-50 people die annually from dog attacks.

I have been bitten twice by a dog drawing blood. The last time, a few years ago in MT, the dog, not on a leash, drew serious blood and I ended up in the ER. The woman who owned the dog said the dog was a puppy and had never bit someone before. The dog was three years old and the ER doctor had been bitten by the same dog a month earlier. I did report the dog to the sheriff’s department. Not sure what happened to the dog, I know the owner was at the very bottom of the human gene pool.

I treat all wildlife with caution and respect. It always surprise me that many are afraid of black bears or mountain lions, but never think about javelinas, which are not pigs. There several people bitten annually by javelinas in AZ. A couple of years ago I was going for a walk, turned a corner and ran into a small heard. I set a new personal record for backing up. FYI, javelina are collared peccaries.

One time playing golf with some friends I startled a snake while looking for a golf ball in some shrubs. For the record, looking for a golf ball in shrubs in AZ is incredibly stupid. My friend said I literally jumped straight up and then levitated backwards.

There are about 100 snake bites annually in AZ, very few are fatal. Rattle snakes can be anywhere and it is always important to watch out for them. A couple of years ago, we had friends over one night and my wife noticed there was a rattle snake hanging out on the patio with us. We called the fire department who came and safely picked up the snake and returned it to the desert. The only thing that was concerning was after seeing these good looking very professional firemen, my wife introduced me as a neighbor she had just met. If fact, none of the wives admitted to being married.

Because of their diet which includes packrats and mice, rattle snakes are nice friends to have around, just not too close. Please do not kill them, or any wildlife for that matter.

Years ago on a bike tour I had a bee land on me and stung me three times. Fortunately I am not allergic and the only side effect was a desire to pollinate a flower. A couple of years ago, after a long ride I was about two miles from my home in AZ and while breathing thru my mouth a hornet landed in mouth and stung me several times. That really sucked. When I got to the house I called my neighbor who was National Park ranger and asked him what I should do. He said, don’t worry, if you were allergic, you would already be dead. Good to know. About 220,000 are stung annually in the US and the death rate is about 60 people annually. Bee swarms are very dangerous and if you see one, get out of the way and find shelter as fast as you can.

What’s the point of all this. The outdoors in Tucson and surrounding area is amazing, but there is risk. But compared to every other risk in your life, the above risks are very very small.
If you see a bear or mountain lion in or around Tucson, you are very lucky. Be respectful and do not invite it to lunch.
If you are allergic to bee stings, carry an EpiPen. Also, breath thru your nose.
Your biggest risk, by far, is being attacked by a dog.

The leading cause of death for 65 and older is heart disease. One way to battle heart disease is exercise. And Tucson and surrounding area is an amazing place to exercise with the added benefit you can see wildlife while hiking, biking, going for a walk and/or playing of golf. And sometimes, the wildlife comes to you while sitting on your patio. Very few areas have this much viewing of wildlife and I feel very blessed to have a place here.